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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

To tell sister her parenting is alienating others

275 replies

OnionsAndLemons · 01/07/2023 06:54

I think my sisters parenting is so extra, that whilst I believe your children should be your top priority, I think her reactions to thinks are out of proportion.

Example: we both think our children should not have to kiss/hug anyone they don’t want to. So I said to her 2 year old after a family meal out, ‘cuddle goodbye?’ Her 2 year old just stood there so I said ‘no?, Ok’ and stood up. My sister pipes in, talking to her daughter ‘we can say no auntie Kate can’t we, tell auntie Kate we can say no’. I was so embarrassed as it was in front of everyone, I said I was not pressuring for a hug. She said oh I know we’re just teaching her she can say no. I agree with the concept but she’d have learnt from the interaction with me alone she can say no.

My mum was doing my sisters 2 year olds nappy. She initially wouldn’t lie down for it and when she did my mum said ‘oh well done, good girl’ or similar. My sister said mum was overdoing it with the praise and asked her to tone it down as girls are taught to be obedient and she doesn’t want that. (Note: my mum treats my son exactly the same, lots of praise when he does as asked). She does this sort of thing with my mum a lot and my mum is feeling constantly criticised and untrusted. My sister told my about the nappy thing, expecting me to agree but I told her you can’t micromanage every interaction.

I have an isofix car seat for my son in my car and bought a cheaper one (but new and from a reputable place) for my mums car for occasional use. My son is the same age as my niece so they both fit in it. However my sister has told my mum her daughter is not to use it as it’s cheap and doesn’t rear face. She doesn’t feel it’s safe. But hasn’t bought one herself. Didn’t share cost with me when I suggested we buy one together they can both use. Has never learnt to remove her own car seat to put in my mums car.

These are a few example but I could go on. Next time she says something similar to me or tell me about something to do with my mum I feel like it’s all going to spill out.

OP posts:
elenacampana · 01/07/2023 09:33

CoreyTaylorsSoggyTshirt · 01/07/2023 07:27

She just sounds like a first time mum trying to do her best but being a bit over enthusiastic about it. Mildly irritating at worst.

For me, it wouldn’t be mildly irritating. I’d want nothing to do with her 😆

alloutofluck · 01/07/2023 09:34

@Brightbear the sister won't pay for a car seat. I am sure the mother would use the sister's preferred car seat if the sister paid for it.
And upset family members talk. You can't expect them mot to.

ejbaxa · 01/07/2023 09:34

a few things strike me as very unreasonable:

firstly your mum is banned from using her car when she has niece. Sis needs to buy a car seat that is to her liking and put it in your mums car. Your mum probably needs to stand up to her about this and tell her to buy a seat. (Although I think pps have said, she’s right re the RF aspect).

when your mum duly texted about the green poo, your sis was very rude to say she didn’t need to know, after having pressured for text updates.

the incident where she was teaching her dd to say no to you, whilst simultaneously requiring obedience re the nappy change must be very confusing for dn. she also made the situation embarrassing for you, very rudely, as you were not forcing the cuddle on the child.

on the one hand, she can parent how she wishes. But on the other hand, she’s causing fallouts. Difficult.

justlonelystars · 01/07/2023 09:35

@Quiverer @WeWereInParis Yeah, maybe she could but without knowing circumstances it’s difficult to comment. I certainly don’t have the time to take out my full isofix system and reinstall it in my parents car of a morning and evening. I’m also not really strong enough to do it (not disabled but several health conditions that mean I tire very easily). Who knows what the circumstances are? Car safety is one area of parenting I won’t compromise on personally and the same for OPs sister perhaps, I couldn’t judge another parent for wanting their child to be safe.

WeWereInParis · 01/07/2023 09:35

What a fuss asking a child if they want a hug-leave them to hug you if they want!

Surely someone who wants to teach their child bodily autonomy and that they don't have to hug someone if they don't want to, would also want to teach their child to ask if they can hug someone, as it's a two-way street. Not leave it as "the child can hug you if they want".

AngryGreasedSantaCatcus · 01/07/2023 09:36

@Brightbear another one who completely missed the fact that the nappy story came from OP's sister moaning about their mum. If she passes shit like this on, she can be on the other end of it too.

Brightbear · 01/07/2023 09:36

alloutofluck · 01/07/2023 09:34

@Brightbear the sister won't pay for a car seat. I am sure the mother would use the sister's preferred car seat if the sister paid for it.
And upset family members talk. You can't expect them mot to.

I know she won’t pay for a car seat! What’s that got to do with OP? Nothing, it’s between her DS and her DM.

they appear to be ganging up on the DS and analysing every single thing she does.

amispeakingintongues · 01/07/2023 09:37

OP your sister does sound overly precious with her performative parenting. Fair enough teach your kids that they don't have to hug but don't alienate your sister in public over that lesson - that surely teaches the child your feelings in being rejected don't matter.

Too many mums spend too much time absorbing "gentle parenting" techniques and it's only going to raise a generation of self centred overindulged brats. But that might be my pregnancy hormones talking. Blush

Ngmi · 01/07/2023 09:37

She sounds cringe

Brightbear · 01/07/2023 09:37

AngryGreasedSantaCatcus · 01/07/2023 09:36

@Brightbear another one who completely missed the fact that the nappy story came from OP's sister moaning about their mum. If she passes shit like this on, she can be on the other end of it too.

One thing….. yet OP is having a complete character assassination of her DS.

Given the children are the same age, let’s hope the DS isn’t a MN?

alloutofluck · 01/07/2023 09:38

@Brightbear the mum is upset so of course she talks to op. That is normal. You can't control other people you know.

LlynTegid · 01/07/2023 09:38

Better to come from you than from another parent.

saraclara · 01/07/2023 09:38

OP is having a complete character assassination of her DS

That's ridiculous hyperbole.

Brightbear · 01/07/2023 09:39

alloutofluck · 01/07/2023 09:38

@Brightbear the mum is upset so of course she talks to op. That is normal. You can't control other people you know.

No come on a parenting forum that your DSis who has children the same age might be on and slag them off.

Excellent idea!

Brightbear · 01/07/2023 09:40

saraclara · 01/07/2023 09:38

OP is having a complete character assassination of her DS

That's ridiculous hyperbole.

You think that if the DSis sees this, she wouldn’t think that?

Really?

AngryGreasedSantaCatcus · 01/07/2023 09:40

*One thing….. yet OP is having a complete character assassination of her DS.

Given the children are the same age, let’s hope the DS isn’t a MN?*

Oh ok, so wilful ignorance then, because you have an agenda. That answers my previous question.

Viviennemary · 01/07/2023 09:40

Your sister and you don't agree on things. Fine. But don't be the one who always gjves in. Agree to differ. If she wants a dearer seat she buys it. Take a step back if she becomes too controlling and tell her why. Your Mum should do the same.

DrinkFeckArseBrick · 01/07/2023 09:40

I agree your sister is OTT and its leading to problems. However the problems are with your mum and her it seems. In which case you cant actually say anything, it will make the situation worse. Unfortunately your mum needs to sort this out herself. She needs to tell your sister that she wants to be able to pop out in the car (assuming she doesnt live somewhere with amazing public transport) and that she will require your sister to buy a car seat if she wants her to look after her grandchild. She needs to point out that she is providing care for free and although she will try her best to follow your sisters parenting methods, she isnt your sister and can't be expected to do everything exactly the same and if she does she will end up feeling micro managed and be so scared of getting it wrong she won't want to help out or speak to her grandkid in case she says something 'wrong'. I mean who criticises the way someone else changes a nappy...the obvious response is 'do it yourself then' but it's up to your mum to say this

alloutofluck · 01/07/2023 09:41

If you are a very controlling parent towards any other adults interacting with your child, you will find lots of adults minimise their interactions with your child.
A friend was like this. She had lots of offers to babysit when pregnant and complained many did not materialise. But it was because those people saw her micro managing every tiny interaction and thought fuck that for a game of soldiers.

diddl · 01/07/2023 09:43

WeWereInParis · 01/07/2023 09:35

What a fuss asking a child if they want a hug-leave them to hug you if they want!

Surely someone who wants to teach their child bodily autonomy and that they don't have to hug someone if they don't want to, would also want to teach their child to ask if they can hug someone, as it's a two-way street. Not leave it as "the child can hug you if they want".

Yes- I meant of course that the child should ask.

Idk.

I think in the circumstances after a family meal it might have all been a bit overwhelming & perhaps just completely left?

saraclara · 01/07/2023 09:44

Brightbear · 01/07/2023 09:37

One thing….. yet OP is having a complete character assassination of her DS.

Given the children are the same age, let’s hope the DS isn’t a MN?

Your post basically encapsulates what a whole section of mumsnet is about.

It's perfectly okay for mumsnetters to complain about or criticise their parents (in real life, not just here). But for the parent to ever express a concern or criticism to them, or to a sibling, is absolutely 100% unreasonable.

Who here has not bitched about their parent, to their own sibling? Well guess what, your parent is entitled to let off steam sometimes, too.

AngryGreasedSantaCatcus · 01/07/2023 09:44

LlynTegid · 01/07/2023 09:38

Better to come from you than from another parent.

Good point. If she keeps going like this as her DD grows, she'll find invites for parties /playdates and offers for help/childcare dry off. Sadly it will be her DD that misses out.

RudsyFarmer · 01/07/2023 09:45

I’m slightly amused at that right to say no being utilised very thoroughly as the child ages. I think it could be fun to watch 🤭

CecilyP · 01/07/2023 09:46

The nappy/praise thing, I suspect of your sister was telling the story it would come across differently.

Read the OP! It was the sister telling the nappy story!

User1438423 · 01/07/2023 09:47

The first two sound annoying PFB, I actually am with her on the car seat though so you lost me. No way would I put a 2 year old in a cheap forward facing seat, and I have four children not a PFB.